LOCAL COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: Collins finishes strong career at American

Kimberly Collins hoped her collegiate lacrosse career at American University would end differently.

Collins and her American teammates had set their sights on an NCAA berth, but they were denied in the Patriot League tournament by Holy Cross.

Even in disappointment, there is no denying Collins, the former West Windsor-Plainsboro North star, had an exceptional career with the Eagles.

“You never want to end,” said Collins. “But, you know, it had to end sometime. Through it all I’ve had a great four years and I can’t ask for anything more.”

Collins scored 125 career goals, placing her second all-time at American. She is tied for fifth all-time in assists with 49 and the former Knight is second all-time in career points with 174.

As a sophomore, Collins was a second team All-Patriot selection and she’s been a first-team selection the last two years.

The numbers and the honors are nice, but that is not why Collins makes early morning practices and maintains a 3.78 GPA.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about the team,” said Collins. “It’s nice to be recognized and there is a time it will mean more. But it’s really just about the team.”

The consummate team player, Collins recognizes and appreciates the coaching and training she got a North, under Beth Serughetti, to allow her to be better prepared for college.

“The coaching at North really helped me prepare,” said Collins. It also allowed me to develop my skills more.”

One skill Collins took to the District of Columbia was a determined focus to handle adversity. During her four years, the Eagles have had three head coaches.

“It was difficult because they were all so different,” said Collins of the coaching carousel. “In the end it comes down to the team and as a group we really pulled together.”

One of the reasons the Eagles pulled together was the leadership qualities and her ability to succeed with the hand she’s been dealt.

“I’ve had to learn to deal with so much more than high school,” said Collins. “Learning to handle school, lacrosse and working has really changed me. I’ve learned a lot about time management. You have to decide what is important.”

Earning a pair of all-conference first team selections, putting up numbers that have only been topped by one other player and earning three all-academic selections it’s a pretty safe bet that Collins figured out what’s important.

Collins had only one desire for her final game.

“You just want to leave it all on the field,” she said.

She left her heart on the field and her name in the American University record books.

Kowalski Has Record-Setting Performance at Drew

Steven Kowalski (Robbinsville) set a school record with four steals in a game for Drew University. He set the mark against the City College of New York.

Drew, which won the Landmark Conference last year, is back in the hunt for a playoff berth and Kowalski will be a key down the stretch.

Kowalski is batting .350 and he leads the Rangers in hits with 41 and runs scored with 33. He has hit safely in 15 of the last 16 games.

Turchin Named to Ivy Honor Roll

Sydney Turchin (WW-P North) batted .529 in five games for Penn last week and was named to the Ivy League Honor Roll for the second time this season.

Turchin had nine hits and four RBI during the stretch along with a double and a triple. Just as impressive was she struck out only once in 16 at bats.

The Quakers sophomore is batting .280 on the season, having started 38 games.

Crook, Garcia and Martinez Leading No. 1 Gloucester

Narciso Crook (Trenton) is batting .371 for top-ranked Gloucester County College in the Division III JUCO ranks.

Crook also is the Division III leader in home runs with 10 and RBI with 46.

Eli Garcia (Trenton) and Wilbert Martinez (Trenton) are a pair of pitchers on the Gloucester staff.

Godfrey, Linville Gain Patriot Honors

Addie Godfrey (Hun) was named to the All-Patriot League women’s lacrosse second team and Cammie Linville (Princeton Day) was once again named to the conference All-Academic team.

Both were instrumental in leading Lafayette to the conference tournament.

Godfrey with 52 goals this season was one of the premier scorers in the country and Linville scored 13 and assisted on four.

Baseball: Mike Ford (Hun) was named to the Ivy League Honor Roll after pitching a complete game win for Princeton. Ford allowed just five hits and walked only one in the Tigers win over Columbia. …Steve Perone (Montgomery) was 1-for-2 with a pair of RBI for Wesley in a win over Richard Stockton. …Joe Jensen (WW-P North) was 4-for-5 with an RBI in Hamilton’s win over St., Lawrence. Jensen leads the NESCAC in stolen bases with 28, which ties the conference single-season record.

Golf: Evan McGrain (WW-P South) shot a 79 on the opening day of the MAAC Championships on Florida. ….Jake Murphy (Hamilton) averaged 77.7 heading to the Carolina’s Conference championships for Coker College.

Women’s Lacrosse: Lauren Pigott (Northern Burlington) was named the NJAC Defensive Player of the Year after leading the TCNJ defense to a pair of wins. TCNJ allowed just four goals in those two games. …Tricia Pehnke (WW-P North) had eight saves for Catholic in a game with Rowan. …Megan Clements (Hopewell Valley) has 20 goals for Rutgers. Clements had a goal and a career high three assists in Rutgers game with Cincinnati. …Lauren Gorajek (Peddie) finished her freshman season at Colgate with 19 goals and eight assists. …Carolyn Gorajek (Peddie) leads Bowdoin in scoring with 45 goals and 23 assists. Gorajek led Bowdoin to the Final Four in her sophomore season and will now await a possible at-large bid to the NCAA tourney.